Bill Bergey

All-Pro Football Player

Bill Bergey, originally from South Dayton, New York, graduated from Arkansas State in 1969 with a BS degree in physical education and a commission in the Army Reserves. During his time at Arkansas State, Bill Bergey was an All-American Football Player who set five records that still stand (best tackle average in a season, most fumble recoveries in a season, and most tackles in a game, season, and career), and in 1976, he was voted by a special poll of fans as the Top Player in ASU History, In 1969, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals and became the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bill Bergey started with the Bengals for five years and in 1974 he was acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for first-round draft choices in 1977 and 1978 and a second round choice in 1978. During his years with the Eagles, he was a four time All-Pro and set an NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker. At age 33, he was the highest paid defensive player in pro football with a four-year, $1 million contact. His last game was in Super Bowl XV, where he played with loose bone chips in his knee and bone spurs on both shoulders. Upon retiring from football, Bill Bergey said that he wanted to be remembered "as a linebacker who lined up on every single play and gave it everything I had."